Mother's Day II

 A very long day has come to an end.

I woke this morning, just before 8.  I got up to feed the dog, his insistent bell ringing making it impossible to do otherwise.  I am glad we taught him to ring a bell to go outside, I sometimes simply wish it had an off switch.  After letting him out the kitchen door into the backyard, I went to check on sleeping Jenny.  She sleeps so much these days, its impossible, or so I thought, for her to be awake. Like I feel I almost always am these days, I was wrong--quite wrong in fact.

Jenny was in her bed sitting up, her graying bestubbled head on the silk covered pillow-the cover a friend gave her to make sleeping with the side effects of chemotherapy more comfortable.  Laying on the left side of the bed, she had a photo album open in her hands, and several more to her left at her hip.  

"Good morning," I said, as I approached her from what was once my side of the bed, "I am surprised to see you awake so early.  What are you doing up."  She started sobbing. She tried to speak through sobs, her words breaking despite her efforts. She got out, "I .  .  . miss.  .  . my.  .  . mom."  She was trying to speak, but couldn't get it out.  I moved on to the bed, kneeling on the mattress to comfort her.  As she calmed down she managed to get out, "I'm afraid this will be our girls' last Mother's Day."  I didn't know what to say.  I just kept repeating, softly, "I know, I know."   I rubbed her shoulder. Our world, our family's world is falling apart, but hers is ending. I didn't think we could make the day better for her. 

Leiney, who had been away housesitting, popped by the store on my behalf and grabbed some stuff I needed for breakfast, before coming home.  Meanwhile, I went and got coffee for Jenny, who doesn't usually drink it, to stimulate her stomach, which is causing great discomfort--a side effect of chemotherapy.  

While Leiney comforted Jenny, I made a tasty breakfast.  I fed Jenny and Leiney in Jenny's bed. Abby, not a big eater in the morning, declined breakfast when I brought it to her.  When breakfast was finished we gave Jenny her presents, which included cards, flowers and a generous Spavia gift certificate.  She perked up.  She was still exhausted, but perky.  Everyone took a nap, save me.  I cleaned the kitchen and tended the garden.  

Sometime after 2, Jenny and everyone else, got up and we went for a lovely and long walk on the Edmonds waterfront, and then had dinner at a Mukilteo pizzeria with AJ, Jenny's Aunt.

Jenny was extraordinarily grateful for the day, and for that, we are all very happy.



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